Circuit maker and breaker



Dec. 1, 1953 L. s. WASSERMAN 2,661,404

CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER Filed Febv '7. 1950 IN VEN TOR.

LEE 8'. mssznmu Patented Dec. 1, 1953 CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER Lee S. Wasserman, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Globe Industries, Inc., Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 7, 1950, Serial No. 142,743

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a circuit maker and breaker of the type in which a motor is provided for actuating the contactor mechanism.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved arrangement for causing the movable contact to engage the relatively stationary contact or contacts with a wiping action.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel arrangement in which the movable contact is mounted on a pivoted lever but is arranged to move in a somewhat circular path so as to wipe across stationary contacts arranged substantially tangentially with respect to the path of the movable contact.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved arrangement for supporting the stationary contacts of a switch.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved arrangement for supporting a switch and a switch operating mechanism.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view, with parts bro ken away, showing a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational view with parts of the housing broken away;

Figure 3 is an elevational view showing the construction and arrangement of the stationary contacts;

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an elevational view showing the construction of the movable contact and the contact carrying lever; and

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of the movable contact and the contact carrying lever.

Referring now to the drawings wherein I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, reference numeral l0 designates a main support comprising a plate-like portion which is preferably rectangular in shape but is provided with a first circular flange I2 projecting to the one side thereof and a second circular flange M pro- Jecting to the opposite side thereof. The corners of the plate-like portion are provided with apertures l3 for use in mounting the support on a panel (not shown) or the like. The flange I2 serves to support a one piece cylindrical motor housing [6 which serves to enclose an electric motor [8 used for operating the switch mechanism to be described hereinafter. The motor I8 and the motor housing l6 are secured to the support [0 with the motor arranged to have its drive shaft 20 projecting through the support 10 as shown.

The switch mechanism comprises a movable contact element 22 and a pair of relatively stationary contacts 24. The movable contact 22 is supported adjacent the one end of an insulating lever 26 which is arranged to be driven by means of an eccentric 28 provided on the outer end of the motor shaft 20. The one end of the lever 26 is provided with a slot 30 which slidably engages a stationary pin 32 which functions as a fixed slide element.

By virtue of the above described arrangement. rotation of the motor shaft 20 and its associated eccentric 28 causes the one end of the lever 25 on which the contact 22 is mounted to move in a somewhat circular path, so as to move into con-- tact with and wipe across each of the stationary contacts 24 once during each revolution of the shaft 20. By adjusting the distance between the pin 32 and the shaft 20, it is possible to adjust the sweep of the movable contact 22 and this also adjusts the relative pressure between the contacts.

It will be noted that the arrangement of the contacts is such that the movable contact, while being mounted on a pivoted lever, moves in a somewhat circular path and that when the movable contact approaches one of the stationary contacts it moves in a direction somewhat perpendicular to the stationary contact but then begins to change its direction of movement so as to move in a direction substantially parallel to the face of the stationary contact, thereby producing a very pronounced wiping action while being pressed firmly against the stationary contact, but as the movement of the movable contact progresses, the direction of relative movement changes so that when final separation takes place, the movable contact moves in a direction more nearly perpendicular to the face of the stationary contact. It has been found that for are preventing purposes, this type of movement is much to be desired. Furthermore, any pitting of the contacts which might take place is not too serious. since the wiping action helps to keep the contacts clean.

For convenience of description the contacts 24 have been referred to as stationary contacts so as to distinguish them from the movable contact 22, whereas the term stationary contact is intended to be interpreted broadly enough to cover contacts which are yieldably mounted, such as the contacts 24, so as to allow for slight move ment thereof during operation.

The contacts 24, as shown, are mounted on spring fingers 34 which permit the contacts to adjust themselves to the movement of the contact 22. Each of the spring fingers 34 is slidably supported by means of a stamped sheet metal mounting element 36 which has a tongue 31 bent as shown, so as to form a slot which serves to support the one end of the spring finger 34. The sheet metal stamping 36 also includes a stop element 38 provided adjacent the one side of the spring finger 34. By virtue of the arrangement of the stop element 38, the spring finger '34 is free to flex throughout its full length as the movable contact pushes against the relatively stationary contact 24, but as the movable contact begins to move away from the stationary contact 24, the stop element 38 backs up the one portion of the spring finger, so as to in efiect reduce the length of the spring finger and consequently there is less flexibility in the finger. This insures complete and positive separation of the stationary contact from the movable contact as the movable contact moves away from the stationary contact.

The above described contact mounting arrangement makes use of inexpensive parts which are simple to assemble. After the one end of the spring finger 34 has been mounted in its correct position on the contact support 36, it is held against further movement either by squeezing the contact engaging tongue 31 more firmly into engagement with the spring finger or by soldering or otherwise fastening the spring finger in place, so as to insure against further sliding movement of the spring finger relative to its support '36. The sheet metal contact supporting elements 36 are carried by the insulating member 40 which in turn is secured to one side of the supporting element l0.

An insulating terminal supporting plate 42 is held in spaced relationship to the support It] by means of one or more posts 43 and serves to partially enclose the switch mechanism. A sheet metal ring-lil e element 44, which .is arranged to telescopically engage the projection 14 on the base l0, serves to complete the enclosure for the contact mechanism. The ring 44 is provided with an 'inturned flange 46 which rests against the outer surface of the terminal .plate 42. The ring 44 is held in place by means of screws .48 which engage the terminal plate 42 as shown. .A plurality of terminals 50 are carried .by the .plate '42. Suitable-electrical connections are provided between the terminals 50 .and the electric motor 18 as wellas the contact elements 22 and 24.

As best indicated in .Figure 1 of the drawings, the pin 32 is ad-justably held in place on the support H] by means of the nut 4|, whereby the v.pin

may be adjusted relative to the motor shaft 20 to thereby vary the sweep of the .member 26. The relationship between the movable contact 22 and the stationary contacts 24 may .be further varied, if desired, by adjusting the position of the insulating member '40 with respect to the main support "I 0.

For purposes of illustrating the invention, only the one switching unit has been shown, whereas a gang of switching units similar to the one unit shown could be provided. The same motor could then be used for operating the multiplicity .of switching units merely by extending the eccentric 28 to make room for additional levers such as thelever '26.

,ment engagi T Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a circuit maker and breaker, a support, stationary .contact mean carried by said support, a rotatable shaft carried by said support, an

eccentric on said shaft, a lever having a bearing aperture arranged in bearing engagement with said eccentric, means including a fixed slide element for limiting the oscillating movement of one portion of said lever, and a contact carried by said lever and arranged to move into and out .of engagement with said stationary contact means in response to rotation of said eccentric, said contact carried by the lever being positioned adjacent the eccentric and in spaced relation with respect to "the fixed slide element.

2. In a circuit maker and breaker, a support, stationary contact means carried by one side of said support, a motor including a rotatable shaft carried "by the other side of said support, an eccentric on said shaft, a lever having a bearing aperture arranged in bearing engagement with said eccentric, means including a fixed slide eleg the lever adjacent one end thereof for limiting "the oscillating movement of one portion of said lever, and a contact carried adjacent the opposite end of said lever at -a point spaced from said aperture and arranged to move into and out of engagement with said'sta-tionary contact means in response 'to rotation of said eccentric.

3. In a circuit maker and breaker, -a Support, stationary contact means carriedby-saidsupport, a rotatable shaft carried by said support, an eccentric on said a lever having a bearing aperture arranged in bearing engagement with said eccentric, means for limiting the oscillating movement of one portion of said lever, and a contact carried by said lever adjacent one end thereof near the eccentric and arranged to move into and out of engagement with said stationary contact means in response 'to rotation of said eccentric, said means for limiting oscillation of said lever comprising a stationary pin "arranged to engage within a slot formed in said lever in the end opposite the end supporting the-contact.

In a circuit maker and brea'izer, a support, stationary contactmeans carried by said support, 'a rotatable shaft carried by said support, an eccentric on said a lever having 'a bearing aperture arranged in bearing engagement with said eccentric, slidable means for limiting the oscillating movement of one portionadj acent one end of said lever, movable contact carried by said lever and arranged to move into and out of engagement with said stationary contact means in response to rotation of said eccentric, said movable contact and the aperture for the eccentric being located towards the end opposite the .end ofsaid cneportion, aspringarm forsu porttionary contact.

6. In a circuit maker and breaker, a support, a movable contact, means for actuating said movable contact in a substantially circular path, a relatively stationary contact arranged to be engaged by said movable contact, means for adjustably mounting said stationary contact comprising a stamped sheet metal support having a tongue bent over so as to form a slot, said slot extending in a direction substantially tangential to the path of movement of said movable contact, and a spring finger slidably supported within said slot and having its one end attached to said stationary contact, said stamped sheet metal support including an integrally formed stop arranged adjacent one side of said spring finger.

'7. In a circuit maker and breaker, a support, stationary contact means carried by said support, a rotatable shaft carried by said support, an eccentric on said shaft, a lever having a bearing aperture arranged in bearing engagement with said eccentric, slidable means for limiting the oscillating movement of one portion of said lever, a contact carried by said lever and arranged to move into and out of engagement with said stationary contact means in response to rotation of said eccentric, said eccentric being positioned between the contact on the lever and the means,

for limiting oscillatory movement of the lever, said means for limiting oscillation of said lever comprising a pin arranged to engage Within a slot formed in said lever, and means for adjustably mounting said pin on said support.

8. In a circuit maker and breaker, a support, stationary contact means carried by said support, a rotatable shaft carried by said support, an eccentric on said shaft, a lever having a bearing aperture arranged in bearing engagement with said eccentric, slidable means for limiting the oscillating movement of one portion of said lever, a contact carried by said lever and arranged to move into and out of engagement with said stationary contact means in response to rotation of said eccentric, said eccentric being positioned between the contact on the lever and the means for limiting oscillatory movement of the lever, said means for limiting oscillation of said lever comprising a pin arranged to engage within a slot formed in said lever, and means providing for relative movement between said pin and said stationary contact means.

9. In a circuit maker and breaker, having a substantially rectangular support having integrally formed cylindrical projections on opposite faces thereof, a motor carried on the one side of said support, said motor having a shaft, and a stamped sheet metal housing enclosing said motor and telescopically engaging one of said projections, the combination including a circuit making and breaking mechanism supported on the other side of said support and operated by said motor, said circuit making and breaking mechanism including a fixed contact, an eccentric mounted on the motor shaft, a lever having a bearing aperture arranged in bearing engagement with said eccentric, means including a slide element for limiting the oscillating movement of one portion of said lever, and a contact carried by said lever and arranged to move into and out of engagement with said stationary contact means in response to rotation of said eccentric, said contact carried by the lever being positioned adjacent the eccentric and in spaced relation with respect to the fixed slide element, a terminal plate overlying said circuit making and breaking mechanism, means for supporting said terminal plate in spaced relationship from said support in overlying relationship to said circuit making and breaking mechanism, and a sheet 'metal ring telescopically engaging the other of said projections and cooperating with said terminal plate to enclose said circuit making and breaking mechanism.

10. In a circuit maker and breaker, having a substantially rectangular support having integrally formed cylindrical projections on opposite faces thereof, a motor carried on the one side of said support with its shaft projecting through said support, said motor having a shaft, and a stamped sheet metal housing enclosing said motor and telescopically engaging one of said projections, the combination including a circuit making and breaking mechanism supported on the other side of said support and operated by said motor, said circuit making and breaking mechanism including a fixed contact, an eccentric mounted on the motor shaft, a lever having a bearing aperture arranged in bearing engagement with said eccentric, means including a fixed slide element engaging the lever adjacent one end thereof for limiting the oscillating movement of one portion of said lever, and a contact carried adjacent the opposite end of said lever at a point spaced from said aperture and arranged to move into and out of engagement with said stationary contact in response to rotation of said eccentric, a terminal plate overlying said circuit making and breaking mechanism, means for supporting said terminal plate in spaced relationship from said support in overlying relationship to said circuit making and breaking mechanism, and a sheet metal ring telescopically engaging the other of said projections and cooperating with said terminal plate to enclose said circuit making and breaking mechanism.

11. In a circuit maker and breaker, having a substantially rectangular support having integrally formed cylindrical projections on opposite faces thereof, a motor carried on the one side of said support, said motor having a shaft, and a stamped sheet metal housing enclosing said motor and telescopically engaging one of said projections, the combination comprising a circuit making and breaking mechanism supported on the other side of said support and operated by said motor, said circuit making and breaking mechanism including a fixed contact, an eccentric mounted on said motor shaft, a lever having a bearing aperture arranged in bearing engagement with said eccentric, slidable means for limiting the oscillating movement of one portion adjacent one end of said lever, a movable contact carried by said lever and arranged to move into and out of engagement with said stationary contact in response to rotation of said eccentric, said movable contact and the aperture for the eccentric being located towards the end opposite the end of said one portion, a terminal plate overlying said circuit making and breaking mechanism, means for supporting said terminal plate 111 spaced relationship from said support in overly r lat ons ip o said cir it in a breaking mechanism, and a sheet metal ring telescopically engaging the other of said projections and cooperating with said terminal plate to enclose said circuit making and breaking mechanisrn.

12. In a circuit maker and breaker, a support, stationary contact means carried by said support, a rotatable shaft carried by said support, an eccentric on said shaft, a lever having a bearing aperture arranged in bearing engagement with said eccentric, means including a fixed slide element for limiting the oscillating movement of one portion of said lever, and a movable contact actuated by said lever and arranged to move into and out of engagement with said stationary contact means in response to rotation of said eccentric, said movable contact actuated by the lever being positioned adjacent the eccentric and in spaced relation with respect to the fixed slide element.

LEE S. WASSERMAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

